City gets back on sidewalks, pleasing many neighborhoods

For the 42 years she has lived in Deshler Park, Barbara Smoak has had to walk on the streets in her neighborhood.

For the 42 years she has lived in Deshler Park, Barbara Smoak has had to walk on the streets in her neighborhood.

Her part of the South Side has no sidewalks.

But by September, she and her neighbors will have at least one safe place to walk: a half-mile stretch along E. Deshler Avenue. Construction will start today.

"We've been trying to get this for a while," said Smoak, vice president of the Deshler Park Civic Association. "The kids play ball here. They're running back and forth, and they need a sidewalk."

The $4 million the city is spending citywide this summer is the largest outlay on pedestrian projects since 2007, when budget problems started to squeeze off improvement projects. In all, 18 new sidewalks will total 9.2 miles.

"In 2009, we didn't build any sidewalks," said Public Service Department spokesman Rick Tilton. "Last year, there were a few projects, but we didn't build nearly as many."

High-volume areas near schools, recreation centers or bus stops were the priority. An estimated 50 percent to 60 percent of the city does not have sidewalks.

"There are sidewalks all around the city that could use improvements," said Dan Williamson, spokesman for Mayor Michael B. Coleman.

Twelve of the 18 sites are south of I-70. Only one is north of I-270.

The city has more money this year for sidewalks because of the improving economy and the income-tax increase that Columbus voters approved in 2009. In addition to paying for sidewalks, about $635,000 of the $4 million for pedestrian projects is allotted for new features at Weinland Park and medians in Harrison West.

Four other sidewalk projects started this month, including three sites about a mile north of the Deshler improvements. Two sites are on Cole Street, and one is on Mooberry Street. The city is also adding a sidewalk along Lane Avenue near the Ohio State University area.

Other major roadways that will have sidewalks added include Kenny Road, Livingston Avenue, Nelson Road and Refugee Road. Several smaller arterial roads also will be renovated.

Residents of Deshler Park say sidewalks will improve the neighborhood.

"Anything the city does is definitely going to help our property values," said Deshler Park Area Commissioner Connie Boykins. "All of this is going to stop (the neighborhood) from deteriorating."

Boykins said the civic association has been asking the city for sidewalks for three years, for both safety purposes and to encourage better maintenance of the area.

Coleman said many other areas are facing similar issues, since city development rules for several decades did not require sidewalks.

"This is part of our city transforming," Coleman said at a groundbreaking ceremony in Deshler Park yesterday. Columbus "needs a great deal of infrastructure."